Thursday, June 28, 2012

I spotted this Cope's gray treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis), in the garden nestled in the center of a zucchini squash leaf. He seemed very content and relaxed.

Gray treefrogs are able to change their color from gray to green based upon their immediate environment. The common gray treefrog (Hyla versicolor) found in more northern climes is not found in my region of Kentucky though it is physically indistinguishable from the Cope's gray treefrog. They can be distinguished by their calls, with the Cope's gray treefrog being shorter and faster. And quite interesting is the fact that the common grey treefrog has an extra set of chromosomes, which means that the two species cannot hybridize.

This is my Father’s world,and to my listening earsAll nature sings,and round me ringsthe music of the spheres.This is my Father’s world:I rest me in the thoughtOf rocks and trees,of skies and seas;His hand the wonders wrought.

"And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good." Genesis 1:31